Aromatherapy: What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils have long played a role in our physical and emotional well-being. Not only can certain scents bring about peace and tranquility or boost energy, they can also treat various medical conditions and improve your overall health. They can be used as a supplement to traditional healthcare practices in order to trigger your body's natural healing processes.

There are many essential oils used in aromatherapy which have several healing properties. For example, peppermint oil can be used to relieve chest congestion, fevers, and pains in the joints of the body.

Plant extracts known as essential oils have been utilized for centuries by many cultures for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. Essential oils are extracted primarily through steam distillation or mechanical presses. The oils are then used through skin absorption, inhalation, or ingestion. The inhalation of essential oils is termed aromatherapy. Either a single essential oil or a combination of essential oils are inhaled through an inhaler, oils placed on an absorbent material, or in an essential oil diffuser. When inhaled, the olfactory system is triggered. The olfactory bulb sends messages to the limbic system which initiates a systemic physiologic response to the inhaled oil. When essential oils are inhaled, the respiratory system

Aromatherapy is a gift form mother nature to nurture, comfort our emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing.

In fact, Essential Oils were Mankind's very first medicine. They have been a part of religion, marriage ceremonies, dating and courtship, cosmetics, and funerary services, medicine, and many other aspects of human life. Although they use of essential oils has evolved over the years, the basic principles remain the same. From the beginning of time, Oils extracted from Aromatic plants have been recognized as the most effective medicine known to mankind. The Egyptians are most often credited with being the first use essential oils. Although there is still some debate, most historians believe that the oils used anciently were not identical to the steam distilled essential oils used today. The oils used by the ancient Egyptians a year to the animal fats and vegetable oils into which the aromatic essential oils from the plants had been extracted-typically by steeping the plant material in the hot oils or fats. Although not as concentrated as are presently used steam distilled oils, they are considered

There are numerous conditions that utilize aromatherapy treatments since it is widely applicable with patient’s psychological and physical healing. It has been noted that “the effects of aroma and touch can occur rapidly, and be either relaxing or stimulating depending on one 's previous experience as well as the chemistry of the essential oils used” (Buckle, 1999, p. 42). Aromatherapy has been used in many treatment processes ranging from pain reduction to corrective curing of disease, and reduction of common discomforts such as headaches. Because essential oils are

Most of the essential oils used in aromatherapy are safe and do not have adverse effects provided they are handled safely. The spa and therapy centers which use aromatherapy ask you to pay attention to some of the important factors.

The term "Aromatherapy" can be misleading as it suggests that it is a form of healing that works exclusively through the sense of smell. This is not the case, as each essential oil has an individual combination of constituents that interact with the body's chemistry in a direct manner. It is important to recognize that essential oils have three distinct modes of action with regard to how they interrelate with the human body: pharmacological,

(http://www.dawn21.com/MessageMag/Aromatherapy.html). Today, it is a science that includes three fields: esthetic, commercial, and clinical (http://www.dawn21.com/MessageMag/Aromatherapy.html). Some categorize it as a holistic or alternative science. This is an ongoing debate, and the answer depends on who you are asking. Aromatherapy finds its origin in ancient Iraq; some evidence has been found of its use in Iraq some sixty-thousand years ago (http://www.sentex.net/~aquarius/mags/harts/iss95/aroma.html). In the East, herbal

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are made from the parts of the plant that contain an aroma. Depending on the plant, this could be the leaves, bark, seeds or fruit, or a combination of several.

Organic Essential oils Melbourne are taken from plants that are grown organically a therapeutic, unadulterated and pure oil which is just excellent for the environment because it prohibits use of pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals which leave various damaging deposits in water, air and soil supply. Mainly these Australia Essential oils are used in bath salts, aromatherapy and many other products. Several oils are found over the counter in retail shops and can be purchased at drug stores, pharmacies, spas, healing centers and health food stores. Some favorite organic essential oils are lemon, peppermint, rosewood and lavender. They can be put in baths or on skin for better relaxation.

It is important to first fully understand what aromatherapy is and how it works before one can review the various scientific studies found about this popular modality. Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic oils on the body predominantly by inhalation or massage. These oils are extracted from plants (called essential oils). Dr. Jane Buckle, a critical care nurse trained in Clinical Aromatherapy and well known as an educator in the subject, indicates that essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for over 5,000 years. The ancient Chinese, Indians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used them in cosmetics, perfumes, and drugs. Egyptians applied them after bathing and for embalming mummies. The Ancient Chinese compiled an encyclopedia of information on the uses of plants,

The use of plants, aromas and natural ingredients for their healing and health-improving qualities dates back thousands of years. To fully appreciate what aromatherapy is today, we first need to return to its humble beginnings. Firstly, we’ll look at a general description of what aromatherapy is and then explore a little of its history. What is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is the art of using plant-based essential oils to maintain or improve our mental, physical or spiritual wellbeing. The essential oils are obtained (often through the process of distillation) from different parts of the plant. For example, from its leaves, seeds, flowers or bark. (http://www.ifparoma.org/public/whatisaromatherapy.php). Examples of essential oils include lavender,

Aromatherapy is the term first used in 1937 by R.M. Gattefosse but it has been used even 3500 years before the birth of Christ. Besides for the beautiful smell and healing properties, the oils were used for magic, mysticism and religion. Egypt was well known for it.

Aromatherapy is one of the great sources of finding healthy environment as well as making anyone free of stress. The best source of getting aromatherapy is to keep aroma therapy candle. Its great beneficial scent gives off a relaxing and pleasant smell that revitalizes the mind and body of any person who need calmness. Although, the cost of aromatherapy candle is a little expensive as compare to other candles yet one can have the benefits of these candles by making them at home. It is becoming trendy day by day.